Training mechanism for gun carriages



March 8 1927.

H. C. ZIMMERMAN TRAINING MECHANISM FOR GUN CARRIAGES 2 Shee'bsSheet 2 INVENTOR E-ZiTTLT1"LETTI'LELTL By %/W% ATTORNEY gravy/7 Filed Sept. l6, 1924 IJIIIIIA H arr l atented Mar. 8 1927.

UNITED ST HARRY G. ZIMMERMAN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLTTMLBIA.

TRAINING MECHANISM FOR GUN GARRIAGES,

Application filed September is, 1924. Serial No. 738,074.

(GRANTED UNDER THE ACT or MARCH 3, 1883; 22 srar. L. 625.

The invention described herein may be used by the Government, or any of its oflicers or employees in prosecution of work for the Government, or by any other person in the United States, without payment to meet any royalty thereon, in accordance with the act of March 3, 1883.

The subject of this invention is 1, training mechanism for gun carriages.

The primary object of the present inven tion is to provide means for elevating. and traversing a gun which are particularly adapted for use with knock down infantry accompanying guns having a reversible axle, though not restricted to such use.

In guns of this type the various elements of the gun must be susceptible of rapid dismantling and assembly and divisible into convenient individual loads.

The top carriage which supports the cradle and gun barrel is mounted directly on the carriage axle, the trails serving to lend stability in firing.

The training mechanism forming the subject of this invention includes a housing rotatably mounted from the center of the axle and formed with sets of grooves for supporting and guiding a pair of reversible elevating segments removably engaging the cradle on opposite sides of its pivot. The method of mounting the elevating segments reduces weight by eliminating parts and faclhtates dismantling and assembly when these opera-' tions are performed either for their ordinary purpose or for modifying the inclination 01 the entire body of the carriage when revers-- ing the crank axle. An actuating mechanism for moving the segments to elevate the cradle is compactly carried in one side of the housing while in the opposite side is a connection with the axle whereby the housing may be rotated to traverse the cradle.

To these and otherends, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and

combination of elements, described herein after and pointed out in the claims forming a part of this specification. V

A practical embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a gun carriage in side elevation and partly in section, showing the position of the training mechanism Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the linea sectional view on'the line 6-6 According to the invention, the cradle 10' of a gun carriage is'trunn'ioned in a top car rlage 11, which is formed with a pintle (not shown) adapted to be supported in a vertical socket 12 formed centrally on anaxle 13.

The axle is preferably cranked for the pur pose of being supported in various positions of adjustments by the trail as described in a companion application, Serial N o. 7 38,072, filed September 16, 1924.

The socket portion of the axle is formed with upper and lower rectangular extensions let to which are secured axle brackets 15 having a segmental tongue 16 engageable in complementary grooves in the upper andlower walls of a squared central passage 17 in a housing 17 whereby the housing may be rotatably supported from the axle.

Guided and supported in a set of longitudinally disposed grooves '18 in the housing are a pair of elevating segments or racks 19- connected at one end as indicated at 20 and passing through apertures 21 in'the axle, at either side of the socket 12 to engage in lugs 22 on the cradle equi-distant from the cradle. trunnicns. The free ends of the segments are suitably shaped to be wedgedly received in the lugs when the cradle 10 is mounted to the top carriage 11. The cradle may with equal facility be lifted from the segments when dismantling the gun and the segments may be entirely removed from the housing.

To provide for mounting the segments when the axle is reversed there are formed in the housing an additional set of grooves 18 which in the reversed position will obviously be properly positioned to receive the segments.

Secured to the side walls of the passage plan view of the upper 17 in the housing are symmetrical blocks 23 adapted to guide the segments irrespective of their position in either of the sets of grooves 18 and 18. i

The elevating racks are moved to swing the cradle on its pivot and elevate the gun by means of a pair of pinions 24 meshing therewith and preferably formed integrally with a shaft 25 journaled in opposite sides of the housing. The actuating mechanism for the shaft consists of a worm wheel 26 whose hub 27 is held against an annular flange 28 on the shaft by a retaining nut 29. The gear is driven by a worm shaft 30 journaled in extensions on the housing 17 and housing cap 31 and properly positioned by means of an internally disposed annular flange 32 on the shaft which is held against one of the extensions by a wing nut 83 pinned to the shaft after assembly. A handle 34 is pinned on the other end of the shaft to provide means for operating the elevating mechanism.

Any suitable device for locking the elevating mechanism may be provided. that herein shown being a clutch consisting of asplined sliding member 35 mounted on the shaft 25 and normally interlocked with the worm wheel 26 by means of a spring 36 confined in a casing 37 and abutting a flange on the sliding member. A pivoted forked lever 38 for releasing the clutch enables the gunner to quickly set the gun at different elevations.

Secured forwardly of the axle ont-he right hand side of the socket 12 is a bracket 39 mounting a vertical pin 40 which pivotally retains a traversing shaft 41 passing through apertures in the bracket and axle. The free end of the shaft is threaded to receive a handle 42, the inner end of which is provided with an annular slot 43 adapted to engage semi-circular shoes at secured to the housing and through which the handle when moved longitudinally of the shaft imparts rotary movement to the housing 17 and consequently to the cradle. Movement of the handle is limited in either direction by an annular flange 45 formed on the shaft and by a nut 46 threaded on the free end of the shaft.

In dismantling the gun for transport the training mechanism housing being secured to the axle is carried thereby while the ele vating racks will be heldagainst removal as the clutch normally prevents rotation of the pinions on the elevating shaft.

When it is desired to reverse the axle from low angle to high angle position assuming the gun to be dismounted, the axle and its wheels are swung about through 180, so that when the crank axle is in its highest posi tion the training mechanism will be at the rear of the axle where it may be conveniently operated by the gunner. With the clutch released the elevating racks may be reversed to the groove 18 which will then be in the lowermost position. The cradle may then be lowered on the top carriage which has been reversed, the lugs on the cradle receiving the free ends of the elevating racks.

lVhile in the foregoing there has been illustrated and described such combination and arrangement of elements as constitute the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is nevertheless desired to emphasize the fact that interpretation of the invention should only be conclusive when made in the light of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In a gun carriage, an axle, a top carriage supported thereby, a cradle trunnioned in the top carriage, lugs on said cradle equidistant from the trunnions, a housing rotatably'mounted on the axle, elevating racks supported by said housing and adapted to fit in the lugs, a mechanism carried by the housing for actuatingsaid racks, a clutch for locking said mechanism against move ment, a traversing shaft pivoted from the axle, a handle threaded on said shaft, an annular slot on the inner end of said handle, semi-circular shoes on the housing and engaging in said slot whereby to cause rotary movement of the housing as the handle is moved on the shaft. and means for limiting movement of the handle in either direction.

2. In a gun carriage, an axle, a? topcarriage supported thereby, a cradle trunnioned in the top carriage. lugs on said cradle equidistant from the trunnions, a housing rotatably mounted on the axle, elevating raclis supported by said housing and adapted to be wedgedly received in the lugs, an elevating shaft provided with pinions in mesh with said racks, a worm wheel on said shaft, means for actuating said wheel,a clutch for locking the wheel against movement, and means pivoted from the axle and engaging the housing for rotating said housing.

3. In a gun carriage, an axle, a top carriage supported thereby, a cradle trunnioned in the top carriage, a housing rotatably mounted on the axle, a connection between the housing and cradle, means for moving said connection to elevate the cradle, a traversing shaft pivoted from the axle, a handle threaded on said shaft, an annular slot on the inner end of said handle, semicircular shoes on the housing and engaging in said slot whereby to cause rotary movement of the housing as the handle is moved on the shaft, and means for limiting movement of the handle in either direction.

4:. In a gun carriage, an axle, a top carriage supported thereby, a cradle trunnioned in the top carriage, a housing rotatably mounted on the axle, a connection between the housing and cradle, means for moving said connection to elevate the cradle, a traversing shaft pivoted from the axle, a handle threaded on said shaft, and a connection between the handle and housing whereby to cause rotary movement of the housing as the handle is moved on the shaft.

5. In a gun carriage, an axle, a top carriage supported thereby, a cradle trunnioned 1n the top carriage, a housing rotatably mounted on the axle, a connection between the housing and cradle, means for moving said connection to elevate the cradle, and means connecting the axle and housing and adapted on reciprocation of one of its elements to impart rotary movement to the housing.

6. In a gun carriage, an axle, a top carriage supported thereby, a cradle trunnioned in the top carriage, a housing rotatably mounted on the axle, segmental racks con necting the housing and cradle, an elevating shaft provided with pinions in mesh with said racks, a worm wheel on said shaft, means for actuating said wheel, a clutch for locking the wheel against movement and means pivoted from the axle and engaging the housing for rotating said housing.

7. In a gun carriage, an axle, a top carriage supported thereby, a cradle trunnioned in the top carriage, a housing rotatably mounted on the axle, segmental racks connecting the housing and cradle, an elevating shaft provided with pinions in mesh with said racks, means for actuating said shaft to elevate the cradle, and means pivoted from the axle and engaging the housing for rotating said housing.

8. In a gun carriage, an axle, a top carriage supported thereby, a cradle trunnioned in the top carriage, lugs on said cradle equidistant from the trunnions, a housing rotatably mounted on said axle, elevating racks supported by said housing and adapted to fit in the lugs, means carried by the housing for actuating said. racks to elevate the cradle, and means carried by the housing and connected to the axle for rotating the housing to traverse the cradle.

9. In a gun carriage, a reversibleaxle, a top carriage supported thereby, a cradle trunnioned in the top carriage, lugs on said cradle equi-distant from the trunnions, a housing rotatably mounted on said axle, said housing formed with opposite sets of grooves, a symmetrical guide secured to the housing, segmental racks reversible with reand means disposed in the housing for ele-' vating and traversing the cradle.

10. In a gun carriage, a reversible axle,

a top carriage supported thereby, a cradle trunnioned in the top carriage, lugs on said cradle equi-distant from the trunnions, a housing rotatably mounted on said axle, said housing formed with opposite sets of grooves, segmental racks reversible with respect to the axle disposed in the lowermost set of grooves and adapted to fit in the lugs, and means disposed in the housing for elevating and traversing the cradle.

11. In a gun carriage, an axle, a top carriage supported thereby, a cradle trunnioned in the top carriage, lugs on said cradle equidistant from the trunnions, a housing rotatably mounted on said axle, said housing formed with grooves, segmental racks disposed in the grooves and adapted. to fit in the lugs and means disposed in the housing for elevating and traversing the cradle.

12. In a gun carriage, an axle, a top carriage supported thereby, a cradle trunnioned in the top carriage, a housing rotatably mounted on said axle, racks supported by the housing and detachably engaging the cradle at points equidistant from the trunnions, and means for elevating and traversing the cradle.

13. In a gun carriage, a reversible axle, a top carriage supported thereby, a cradle trunnioned in the top carriage, a training mechanism mounted on the axle, and reversible means detachably engaging the cradle at points equi-distant from the trunnions for connecting the cradle and training mechanism.

14L. In a gun carriage, an axle, a top carriage pivoted therein, a cradle trunnioned in the top carriage, a training mechanism mounted on the axle, and means detachably engaging the cradle at points equi-distant from the trunnions for connecting the cradle and training mechanism.

15. In a gun carriage, an axle, a top carriage supported thereby, a cradle trunnioned in the top carriage, a training mechanism mounted on the axle, and means detaohably engaging the cradle for connecting the cradle and training mechanism.

HARRY O. ZIMMERMAN. 

